Meta Ad Library: scrapers and the official API, compared

Route map

Each line is one way to get Meta Ad Library data; each stop is a field you probably need. Green lines are catalogue Actors, ranked by the published formula.

Which route for which job

The catalogue Actors for Meta Ad Library return different records. "Only this route" lists the published fields no other Actor in this table returns, which is usually what decides the choice. Cost is the published per-result rate; start events and platform usage are extra.

Field matrix: who returns what

Every tool with a published output schema, against the 5 fields most Meta Ad Library jobs need. A dot means the field name appears in the schema; rows can still leave it empty.

Field dictionary: the exact keys

The same core field has a different key in each Actor's output. Map these before you merge datasets; a dash means the published schema has no matching key. Need a field that is not listed here, such as email? Search every Meta Ad Library Actor by field.

Download this comparison: CSV · JSON (every tool with a published schema, matching keys per core field, price and score).

All 10 tools, scored

Catalogue Actors link to their detail pages; the score (0 to 100) is the published formula, identical for every tool. Other Store tools follow in their own table, for reference. Price is the published primary-result rate per 1,000 (the Free-plan rate where the price is tiered; higher Apify plans pay less); start events and platform usage are excluded.

Other Store tools, for reference

Scored with the same published formula and listed for comparison only; this site does not link or recommend them.

What to check before you choose

Research and monitoring teams use Meta Ad Library data to follow advertiser activity, compare messages and inspect creative references. A useful collection keeps the advertiser, ad text and source snapshot connected.

Choose an advertiser-focused search when you are following known pages, or a topic search when you are tracking a public issue. For official access, check that the permitted ad categories and research requirements fit the project.

Checklist

• Confirm category coverage for the chosen route. The published data describes official API access for social issues, elections and politics.
• Distinguish source references from creative files. The published schemas list ad_snapshot_url and link_url, but do not list creative_url.
• Check the definitions and availability of spend and impressions before using them as quantitative measures; the published descriptions do not explain their units or precision.

Where the data is incomplete

The published tool field descriptions do not explain how ad_text differs from resolved_ad_text, or how template_tokens are handled. Confirm which text represents the message you intend to compare.

Official API route

Terms and personal data

Check Meta's permitted-use requirements and Ad Library use restrictions before collecting or reusing the data. This is general information, not legal advice.

Read Meta Ad Library's terms. Keep to public data, do not bypass logins or access controls, and check whether personal data is involved before you collect it. The can-I-scrape checklist walks through it.

How to start

1. Open the recommended Meta Ad Library tool and check its documented inputs for an advertiser or narrowly defined topic.
2. Submit a small collection within the supported ad category and search scope.
3. Inspect advertiser identity, ad text, platform information and snapshot references before exporting the dataset or expanding monitoring.

Call Facebook Political & Commercial Ad Transparency Extractor from code

The example input uses the Actor's published defaults; set your own Meta Ad Library query before you run it. You need an Apify API token.

from apify_client import ApifyClient

client = ApifyClient("<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>")
run_input = {
    "mode": "search",
    "searchTerms": [
        "coffee"
    ],
    "country": "ALL",
    "adActiveStatus": "active",
    "adType": "all",
    "mediaType": "all",
    "searchType": "keyword_unordered",
    "sortBy": "relevance",
    "resultsPerSearch": 3,
    "maxItems": 3,
    "includeEuDetails": False,
    "rehostMedia": False,
    "onlyTotal": False
}

run = client.actor("vexaloom-labs/facebook-political-and-commercial-ad-transparency").call(run_input=run_input)
if run is None:
    raise RuntimeError("The Actor run was not found.")
for item in client.dataset(run.default_dataset_id).iterate_items():
    print(item)

import { ApifyClient } from "apify-client";

const client = new ApifyClient({ token: "<YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>" });
const input = {
    "mode": "search",
    "searchTerms": [
        "coffee"
    ],
    "country": "ALL",
    "adActiveStatus": "active",
    "adType": "all",
    "mediaType": "all",
    "searchType": "keyword_unordered",
    "sortBy": "relevance",
    "resultsPerSearch": 3,
    "maxItems": 3,
    "includeEuDetails": false,
    "rehostMedia": false,
    "onlyTotal": false
};

const run = await client.actor("vexaloom-labs/facebook-political-and-commercial-ad-transparency").call(input);
const { items } = await client.dataset(run.defaultDatasetId).listItems();
console.log(items);

curl -X POST "https://api.apify.com/v2/actors/vexaloom-labs~facebook-political-and-commercial-ad-transparency/run-sync-get-dataset-items"   -H "Authorization: Bearer $APIFY_TOKEN"   -H "Content-Type: application/json"   -d '{"mode":"search","searchTerms":["coffee"],"country":"ALL","adActiveStatus":"active","adType":"all","mediaType":"all","searchType":"keyword_unordered","sortBy":"relevance","resultsPerSearch":3,"maxItems":3,"includeEuDetails":false,"rehostMedia":false,"onlyTotal":false}'

{
  "mcpServers": {
    "apify": {
      "url": "https://mcp.apify.com?tools=vexaloom-labs/facebook-political-and-commercial-ad-transparency",
      "headers": {
        "Authorization": "Bearer <YOUR_APIFY_TOKEN>"
      }
    }
  }
}

Questions people ask

More on Meta Ad Library

• Topic groupSearch and ads data: every website compared
• ToolWhich Meta Ad Library route fits your job?
• ToolMeta Ad Library cost by Apify plan, rows and runs

Related websites

• Facebook10 Actors
• LinkedIn Ad Library1 Actor
• TikTok Ads Library1 Actor
• Google Ads Transparency Center3 Actors

Sources

• Facebook Political & Commercial Ad Transparency Extractor on Apify Store
• Facebook Ad Library Byline & Advertiser Ad Finder on Apify Store
• Meta Ad Library API documentation
• Meta Ad Library terms